Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Ó Cuív for tabling this question. I commend and welcome the rollover provisions in respect of GLAS next year, but as Deputy Ó Cuív said, it gives rise to as many questions as answers. My question is in respect of the programme for Government commitment that €1.5 billion - the headline figure for agriculture - would be allocated to a new REP-type scheme.

Some €79 million of that has been allocated for the REPS-style pilot scheme plus the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS, roll-over. That is a big gap. When are we going to see the €1.5 billion come to a REPS-style scheme? Will the new scheme be modelled on the previous one, or will it be REPS in name only and actually be a set of obstructions for farmers?

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